The Daughter of a Conglomerate Family Has Debuted - Chapter 41

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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The Chaebol’s Daughter Debuted

Episode 41

But if they push with screen time, couldn’t she gain some popularity?

Ryu Jin-woo also said they should target this since Ryu Ji-ye lacks experience.

‘…But putting her in the back like that means they won’t film her much, right?’

It was when Ryu Jae-geum belatedly realized this important fact.

A new world I’ve never experienced

Don’t be scared, move forward

Because my beginning is more special

The side stages that had been slowly moving toward the main stage completely connected to become one.

Then the screen on the large electronic display board switched and began showing the teams on the side stages.

Finally, the FLORA members properly revealed themselves.

Ryu Jae-geum gripped the bottom of his chair tightly and glared at the electronic display board with fierce intensity.

The fortunate thing, at least, was that while each team was singing, the cameras were taking turns filming each member one by one.

First, the member with the most striking visual in FLORA appeared on screen.

With long straight red hair and sharp features, she boasted the most glamorous appearance among all trainees.

A relaxed and confident expression with professional-level camera eye contact skills.

A member who seemed to say ‘I have experience’ to anyone who looked.

-There’s someone aiming for a re-debut. She’s on our team, and she’s definitely different from other trainees. You’ll know when you see her on stage. She’s the best.

Just as Ryu Ji-ye said, the person showing the most professional appearance among all trainees – that must be Han Da-min.

She appeared on screen for quite a long time, fully demonstrating her abilities.

Ryu Jae-geum’s tense expression relaxed considerably.

‘There should be enough time, right?’

Han Da-min was allocated sufficient screen time. If they showed Ryu Ji-ye this much too, it would be quite satisfactory.

Then the screen switched to show another FLORA member.

“Wow, her dancing is incredible. Look at that. Skilled kids bring out the groove even in simple moves.”

“She danced well on Love Me Idol too. It’s just that this happened to her.”

The production staff watching made scissoring motions with both hands and laughed as if amused.

Though he didn’t know who this member was, the production staff were all whispering with dopamine-soaked expressions.

As expected, this member also received close-ups with equal screen time as Han Da-min.

And the next member. It was Choi Song-i, whom Ryu Jae-geum also knew.

-I heard she appeared on a children’s program. I don’t know about it.

Though Ryu Ji-ye said she didn’t know much, Choi Song-i had considerable recognition as a cast member on a parenting program.

As the daughter of a famous singer and actor, she was a figure who appeared on YouTube Shorts whenever you forgot about her, showing her clashing with her parents over everything during her rebellious phase.

She too got close-up shots with the same amount of screen time as the previous members.

Ryu Jae-geum was completely relieved.

Since three out of five members were filmed with similar amounts of screen time, they would conscientiously film the remaining members including Ryu Ji-ye the same way.

Wouldn’t that be natural?

And finally, the long-awaited close-up timing for Ryu Ji-ye that he had been waiting for…

‘…Huh.’

Whoosh – and it was over.

The other member who followed was shown for maybe 0.1 seconds? Then the screen immediately switched to the 3rd place team.

That was the end.

The production staff had no conscience.

Before Ryu Jae-geum could even understand what had happened, everything was already over.

‘Why?’

How could there be such a severe difference in screen time?

Even if there were differences in recognition, they’re on the same team, right?

It was literally a flash. It was obvious you couldn’t even distinguish faces at that level.

Ryu Jae-geum couldn’t even see the face of the other member who flashed by with Ryu Ji-ye.

Probably for other people, Ryu Ji-ye wouldn’t leave a deep impression either, just like that other member.

“…”

Ryu Jae-geum glared at the PD with sullen eyes.

Of course, screen time was something the production staff could control as they wished, and discrimination was rampant in this industry anyway, but there should be limits.

At least let people distinguish faces – what kind of behavior is this?

‘They’re all the same contestants!’

How frustrated must the trainees without recognition feel? This is why they get accused of manipulation every season!

Our kid already lacks presence, and now she’s being discriminated against too – at this rate, forget gaining popularity, she’ll obviously be eliminated as soon as voting starts.

It wasn’t just Ryu Ji-ye who was wronged – some members of teams ranked 4th to 6th didn’t seem to be filmed by cameras at all. Ryu Ji-ye, who at least got a camera sweep, was in a better situation.

“Haah…”

While he sighed in frustration, the song’s atmosphere had already changed, pouring out a more intense beat.

When Ryu Jae-geum turned his gaze to look at the stage, the lighting colors changed and the formations were gradually shifting by team.

Then the song’s feel completely changed, and the lights went out except for the main stage.

While everyone lowered their positions, May Rookie’s main dancer alone began performing a solo dance to the music.

Then members joined one by one, dancing together with the main dancer.

The team-by-team dance break had begun.

“They dance separately too?”

“Yes yes, even though it’s a group song, each team needs to show their unique characteristics. Haha, it’s quite a substantial composition, right?”

“Do all teams do it? By team?”

“Of course. We did rehearsals so many times because of this part.”

Light returned to Ryu Jae-geum’s eyes.

Due to the dance break, the individual member shots from earlier were rotating again. Would they film better this time?

But this time too, the results were disappointing.

Except for Han Da-min and Min Ha-young, who were FLORA’s main dancers, everyone else was swept over once as if doing them a favor.

‘Again?’

It was enough to make him laugh bitterly.

Even the angle that was filmed was diagonal. And even then, whether Ryu Ji-ye didn’t notice or not, it ended without her even glancing at the camera.

No matter how much worse Ryu Ji-ye’s dancing was compared to the main dancers and how little presence she had, to not film her this much…

Is this what it feels like to be a fan of a member who doesn’t get pushed?

‘It’s over.’

Apparently Ryu Ji-ye wasn’t included among the trainees who would shine in this group song.

While Ryu Jae-geum couldn’t hide his bitterness and leaned back against his chair, the song smoothly entered the final chorus.

Then it continued straight through to the end. Without Ryu Ji-ye getting a single shot.

Ji-ye must be upset.

It was when he crossed his legs, carrying his uncomfortable feelings.

“Hm?”

As the song finished and the trainees struck their prepared ending poses, the electronic display board screen, which had been showing a full shot, switched as if it had been waiting.

Ryu Jae-geum’s trembling leg stopped abruptly. The electronic display board was filled entirely with Ryu Ji-ye’s face.

‘Finally!’

This time it wasn’t a fleeting shot.

The camera was fixed on a close-up of Ryu Ji-ye’s face, just like when it had filmed Han Da-min earlier.

The corners of Ryu Jae-geum’s mouth slowly rose. Then he thought to himself as if scolding.

‘You fool! You need to look at the camera. Geez…’

On screen, Ryu Ji-ye was breathing heavily as she stared straight ahead.

The camera was filming her from a diagonal angle. Looking straight ahead would only capture her profile.

Oh, but seeing it on screen… it’s actually not bad at all?

It was when Ryu Jae-geum was giving his embarrassed assessment while watching Ryu Ji-ye on screen.

After taking one deep breath, Ryu Ji-ye’s gaze suddenly turned toward the camera.

The moment he realized he was making direct eye contact with her on screen, Ryu Ji-ye smiled softly, crinkling the corners of her eyes.

At the same time, various exclamations of admiration burst out from around them.

“Wow, great expression.”

“It’s over, isn’t it? I’m telling you, she’s going to be really popular.”

Setting aside her beauty, that smile left quite an impact.

“How did she even find the camera? It wouldn’t have been easily visible from there.”

“She probably checked when she’d be caught during rehearsal. Kids these days are really smart about taking care of their own stuff.”

With the production staff’s words behind him, Ryu Jae-geum muttered.

“She’s just like an idol…”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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